cam chain tensioner, pretty sure...
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Audiworld Junior Member
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cam chain tensioner, pretty sure...
i had another thread up and so far you guys have been a huge help. i'm pretty set on the cam chain tensioner needing replaced. from what i'm gathering, i'm looking at about a 3-4 hour project. here's why...
it sounds almost like a diesel engine in first gear and at idle.
in second gear and above, everything smoothes out.
every now and then i will get a smell of something burning. possibly a belt?
all of these things and various youtube videos have led me to this conclusion.
so if this is the case, should i just do the timing belt while i'm at it? and is there any insane special precautions that i should take and watch out for?
it sounds almost like a diesel engine in first gear and at idle.
in second gear and above, everything smoothes out.
every now and then i will get a smell of something burning. possibly a belt?
all of these things and various youtube videos have led me to this conclusion.
so if this is the case, should i just do the timing belt while i'm at it? and is there any insane special precautions that i should take and watch out for?
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Fort Worth, Tx
I can't find where you said you have a 1.8t, but I assume that is what you have.
I have not done the cam tensioner, but have done the timing belt...along with 2 other times on a 5 cylinder Audi and 4 times on a V6 Nissan. The smell you have could be the tensioner. Anyway, here is how I would approach:
1) Do the cam tensioner. It looks no more difficult to me than the timing belt. That will either confirm it is the problem or not. And you won't have the question if things don't get fixed on whether you did the timing belt right or not. Make sure you get the compression tool and do it right. DIY link below:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...cam+tensioners
2) I assume based on your comments that your timing belt may need replacement anyway or you don't know the history. If you are mechanically bent, then you should be able to do this also. Lots of DIYs on the subject. My biggest note here is to make sure you mark the old belt with marks on the cam sprocket and crankshaft and count teeth after you have installed the new one. Guess I am a little **** on that stuff. Also, do the tensioner and water pump while you are at it.
I have not done the cam tensioner, but have done the timing belt...along with 2 other times on a 5 cylinder Audi and 4 times on a V6 Nissan. The smell you have could be the tensioner. Anyway, here is how I would approach:
1) Do the cam tensioner. It looks no more difficult to me than the timing belt. That will either confirm it is the problem or not. And you won't have the question if things don't get fixed on whether you did the timing belt right or not. Make sure you get the compression tool and do it right. DIY link below:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...cam+tensioners
2) I assume based on your comments that your timing belt may need replacement anyway or you don't know the history. If you are mechanically bent, then you should be able to do this also. Lots of DIYs on the subject. My biggest note here is to make sure you mark the old belt with marks on the cam sprocket and crankshaft and count teeth after you have installed the new one. Guess I am a little **** on that stuff. Also, do the tensioner and water pump while you are at it.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
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thanks a lot on this, it doesnt look that hard at all. i have always been pretty mechanically inclined so i'm not too worried about it. the timing belt may have to wait for another weekend but this needs done pretty asap. and yes you were right on your assumptions, it's a 1.8t and i don't know too much of the history
AudiWorld Senior Member
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From: N.E. Ohio
the tensioner takes about 1.5 hr, but yes figure 3 for first time.
hint, start by setting engine to TDC, so you have the cam marks lined up, then get 2 small zip ties and slip them in the last chain link before the sprockets, this way if it moves you don't need to count teeth and such.you will I find it best to remove the first cam cap on the exhaust cam (nearest the tensioner) for more room, then remove all the caps on theintake cam, use the tensioer tool to collapse the tensioner pop loose the intake came, hold it in one hand and with the other remove the tensioner. be carefull not to let the cam spin or the chain to fall off the sprocket, but if it does you have your link marked!
I would do these jobs in 2 stages, first the tensioner, make sure the car runs, then do the belt, this way if something is out of alignment you know what it is! it is very easy to get a cam off 1 tooth or the belt off a tooth
hint, start by setting engine to TDC, so you have the cam marks lined up, then get 2 small zip ties and slip them in the last chain link before the sprockets, this way if it moves you don't need to count teeth and such.you will I find it best to remove the first cam cap on the exhaust cam (nearest the tensioner) for more room, then remove all the caps on theintake cam, use the tensioer tool to collapse the tensioner pop loose the intake came, hold it in one hand and with the other remove the tensioner. be carefull not to let the cam spin or the chain to fall off the sprocket, but if it does you have your link marked!
I would do these jobs in 2 stages, first the tensioner, make sure the car runs, then do the belt, this way if something is out of alignment you know what it is! it is very easy to get a cam off 1 tooth or the belt off a tooth
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Bad CAM Adjuster - car sounded like a washing machine
I have a 2004 A4, 1.8Tm with Manual Transmission. At about 168,000 miles, I developed a problem with the CAM adjuster. First noticed it at a toll booth, after having driven 75 miles, all highway, but some stop and go. Car sounded like a washing machine when I was at idle - couldn't believe how bad it sounded. Several miles later, it occurred at all gear changes. The job cost $1600 at an Audi dealership. Many miles prior to my car becoming a "washing machine", I had noticed what I can only describe as a rubbing sound at 3200rpm going from 3rd to 4th. No one else could hear it. I started noticing it before every gear change thereafter - again, no one else could hear it - it was subtle. After the repair, the washing machine sounds were gone and the rubbing noise had gone away too, but the rubbing sound near 3rd began again 30,000 miles later. I was told that if I am damaging my Cam, I should be using synthetic oil (implying that this is a sludge based issue). I hope this helps.
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Audiworld Junior Member
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I have been looking into this a lot more and the more that I look, the more I am thinking it isn't anything to do with the cam chain or even possibly the engine. Symptoms are in first gear alone. And in idle when I have just shifted out of a low gear. Maybe a broken tooth in a gear or input shaft? I am really not sure. I have always been into cars but have always been on the body side of things. Played around with mechanics but am still inexperienced in diagnosing.
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Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
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6 speed manual transmission that drives great and shifts smooth, has 106k on it and I doubt anything was ever changed. including timing belt. am unsure of that but like I said. she drives great. Just to be on the safe side, I am going to do the timing belt in a few weeks when I can afford to put her away for a week or two. I feel like I am taking better care of it than the last owner but am unsure. no service records at all...
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Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
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the biggest thing that i notice is that it sounds like a tdi in first gear and at idle. that's the only time i ever notice anything and for as much as i drive, trust me i have time to notice throughtout all of the gears.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Fort Worth, Tx
I have very little experience with transmissions, but had a similar noise on a B2 4000 Quattro that I was told was the throw-out bearing. My symptoms were only in idle though, so the symptom of this occurring in 1st seems very odd. Any others have thoughts on this?
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